Estimation of the balance of greenhouse gases in livestock production systems in the Salado river basin
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We compared the balance of greenhouse gasses (GHG) of two contrasting livestock production models of the Salado river basin, Buenos Aires province. One model was characterized by the predominance of native grassland in good condition because of the application of controlled grazing (MP 1) and the other model by a larger surface of cultivated pastures and annual forage crops, higher stocking rate and beef production (MP 2). We applied the IPCC (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change) methodology for estimating primary emissions. We incorporated the estimation of secondary emissions and the gain or loss of soil carbon of to the GHG balance. Total emissions were higher in MP 2 than MP 1 (4500 vs. 2273 kg CO2 eq. ha-1 year-1 respectively, p<0,01). MP 1 sequestered carbon at a rate of 1851 kg CO2 eq. ha-1 year-1, while MP 2 emitted carbon at a rate of 601 kg CO2 eq. ha-1 year-1. GHF balance was ten times more negative for MP 2 than MP 1, whose balance resulted neutral. Livestock systems of Salado river basin with predominance of native grassland in good condition are able to mitigate the effect of global warming.
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